Tokyo: So Close, yet So Different

How many of your friends can say they've visited the most populous city in the world? How about you?

At just over 2 hours, it's difficult to imagine that you can be in such a different place. Although there are many similarities between Korea and Japan, when you get off the plane, you know you are in a different country.

Once you arrive at Narita Airport, take a high-speed train into the heart of what is known as the most populous city in the world, with over 35 million people in the Greater Tokyo Area. With that many people, you know there has to be lots going on!

A lot of people worry about the expense of going to Tokyo, since it was rated as the most expensive city to live in from 1992 till 2005. But, if you aren't planning on buying any real estate during your trip, you should do just fine! Like any city, there are ways to go about spending less money. Any of the trips I've taken to Tokyo have certainly not been pocket-book killers. If cash is a concern, a bit of planning is all that you need to make sure you stay within your budget.

You could go to Tokyo and just wander around different parts of the city and have a great time doing it. If you are the type of person who likes to watch people, there will be plenty to observe! The Japanese tend to be a bit less conservative in a lot of ways compared to Koreans.

Visit Shibuya to see one of the busiest cross-walks in the world! The Shibuya shopping area is where most Japanese fashion trends start. You can definitely enjoy a whole afternoon in this area.

For nightlife, visit the Roppongi area. This is where you'll find a large amount of clubs, bars, and restaurants. Roppongi is a popular area for both Japanese and Westerners. I've had a lot of fun in the area and I was surprised at how friendly people were there, and how easy it is to meet people.

Tokyo simply has too much to list, so the best bet is to visit the link to the Tokyo tourism site below to figure out what you want to do. Or, better yet, just show up with no expectations and see where your adventure leads you.

"Describing Tokyo to someone who has never been here is a formidable task" Frommers

Frommers: After all, how do you describe a city that -- as one of my friends visiting Tokyo for the first time put it -- seems like part of another planet?

Despite its limited space for harmonious living, Tokyo remains one of the safest cities in the world, with remarkably little crime or violence. No matter how lost I may become, I know that people will go out of their way to help me. Hardworking, honest, and helpful to strangers, the Japanese are their country's greatest asset.

What's more, once visitors get to know Tokyo better, they learn that you can't judge Tokyo by what it looks like on the outside, for this is a city of interiors. Even those concrete monsters may house interiors that are fascinating in design and innovation. In the basement of that drab building could well be a restaurant with wooden beams, mud walls, and thatched ceiling, imported intact from a farmhouse in the Japan Alps; on its roof could be a small Shinto shrine, while the top floor could house a high-tech bar or a tony French restaurant.

Hop on a flight and be in a new country in just a few hours

One of the benefits of living in Korea is that we can hop on a flight and be in a different country in just a few hours and for a few hundred thousand won. During your stay in Korea, it seems to make sense to take advantage of this and see as many places as you can, doesn't it?

One way to be sure to see as much as possible is to take advantage of the short flight times and inexpensive tickets to take weekend trips. It's amazing how much you can see in just one weekend.

Instead of taking a bus trip across Korea, take a flight across Asia!

We're working to bring you the best options for short trips leaving from Korea. Our goal with these trips is to make sure you see as much as you can and that you can enjoy new countries on a tight budget, both time, and money-wise. We put together trips that have different themes such as shopping, gambling, and culture, among others.

To do that, we've partnered with Kangsan Travel, a veteran English-speaking travel agent in Korea, to put together the best packages available. We make it simple for you.

No BS, no confusion, just straight up, easy-to-handle travel.

Here is what is included in your package:

-Your airfare to and from Seoul or Busan to Tokyo.

-Your hotel room for your stay.

-Everything is set up for you and you will receive an e-ticket with your reservation information. Just bring that to the airport, and you're ready to go.

-Don't forget, service in English with a company that has been working with foreigners for many years.

How easy is it to get this trip organized?

Step 1: Fill out the form below

Step 2: You will receive confirmation from a representative of Kangsan Travel

Step 3: You can pay by credit card or by bank transfer from your Korean bank account

Step 4: You will receive your e-ticket. Just print it off and you're ready to go!

Click the Play button for a short Youtube video from Tokyo

What are some of the main attractions in Tokyo?

-Tokyo is one of the most famous capital cities in the world, and to be in the city is an experience in itself

Some People Regret Not Doing More With Their Time in Korea. How about you?

First-year teachers in Korea start at about a minimum of 2 million won per month. Most weekend trips can be budgeted for less than half of that amount. When people first apply with us, we are always interested in finding out what they want to do with their time in Korea.

Everybody says that they want to travel to different countries in Asia.

Of course! It makes sense. I did the same thing. Actually, I'm still doing it! Being in Korea and having access to so many great places is one of the benefits of the job. What I don't like to hear is when people finish their year and they regret not having done all they wanted to do.

When I first arrived in Korea in 1999, nothing got me more excited than hearing the veterans talk about recent trips they took to exotic places like Thailand, Malaysia, Bali, Hong Kong, Japan, China and other destinations. I was amazed at how many places they had been and wanted to do the same. I wanted to be part of that "travel across Asia" lifestlye.

After 5 years of teaching, I was able to join the conversation!

You really can't put a price on travel. Every trip you take exposes you to new ways of thinking, new ideas, and new traditions. It is impossible not to come back home with new ideas buzzing around in your head and it's impossible to get rid of the travel bug once you've been bitten. Once you start that collection of stamps in your passport, you want to keep it going.

OK, so where do I sign up?

Right here actually! Just fill in the form below and you will be e-mailed by an English-speaking representative of Kangsan Travel within 24-36 hours to confirm travel details and explain the payment method.